This report assesses Australia’s uncommon approach 10 years after the establishment of the relevant Parliamentary mechanism – a legislative scrutiny regime led by the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights. In particular, it addresses institutional obstacles to its effectiveness, and what these obstacles mean for...

The Australian Parliament has long sought to address the issue of codes of conduct. The Committee recommends that parliamentary consideration of this report, including the proposed behaviour standards and codes, should maintain a primary focus on ensuring that Commonwealth Parliamentary Workplaces are safe and respectful...

Representation matters. Within our society a lot of attention is paid to how power is used, and in whose interests, but the issue of who has power is of equal importance. This report explores the path to parliament taken by our current representative members of...

Helen Haines says the current government has gagged debate in parliament more than any government in history. Verdict: Ms Haines's claim is exaggerated.

Reconciliation Australia has created this roadmap to outline the path the government must take to achieve reconciliation.

This paper outlines reforms for consideration by parliamentarians and the Australian government. Some are well developed and long promised, and require only the political will to implement. Others still require careful consideration and development. Many would have accumulative effects, with reforms in one area making...

This paper outlines the variety of enforcement mechanisms these existing parliamentary codes of conduct exhibit, the findings of the reviews that have been conducted into the effectiveness of these arrangements in preventing bullying and harassment and discusses how these might inform debate about a response...

This policy statement outlines The Greens' policy position on parliamentary standards, political donations and the establishment of a federal integrity commission.

In March 2021, the Independent Review into Commonwealth Parliamentary Workplaces was established by the Australian government. Conducted by the Australian Human Rights Commission and led by the Sex Discrimination Commissioner, the review was asked to make recommendations to ensure that Commonwealth parliamentary workplaces are safe...

This review found that current procedures and processes are not designed or able to respond appropriately to serious incidents in the Australian parliamentary workplace, particularly with regard to sexual assault. The most significant gap is the absence of readily accessible, timely, independent, trauma-informed services and...

The Independent Review into Commonwealth Parliamentary Workplaces was established in March 2021. This progress update outlines the work of the review to date, including the methodology.

In December 2020, the Standing Committee on Petitions resolved to inquire into and report on aspects of the House of Representatives’ petitioning system relating to security and accessibility. This report outlines the findings from this inquiry.

In February 2021, Australian Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, tasked a review of the procedures and processes involved in identifying, reporting and responding to serious incidents that occur during parliamentary employment. This report has been released to enable briefing for government, opposition, other parties, cross bench...

Question Time is a long-standing tradition that remains a valuable forum for scrutiny of the executive. While opinions differed on how Question Time could be improved, this inquiry found there is a need for enhanced accountability, better questions and answers, and a higher standard of...

This resource presents one of the most extensive studies of Australians’ knowledge of and attitudes towards the Australian Senate.

Bill Browne argues in this discussion paper that a straightforward way to ensure the Northern Territory has two House of Representatives seats is to increase the overall size of the House. He suggests that an increase of about 50% in the number of parliamentarians would...

This paper provides an overview of the 2019 federal election, including the results, the political environment, and the major features of the campaign.

One of the main parliamentary oversight mechanisms is the power to disallow laws made by the executive branch of the government, including ministers and senior departmental and agency officials, known as delegated legislation or delegated legislative instruments. This report recommends the removal of all provisions...

Australia is the only democracy facing coronavirus that has suspended Parliament.

The Auditor-General, Grant Hehir, delivered this presentation to the 15th Biennial Australasian Council of Public Accounts Committees (ACPAC) Conference held at Parliament House, Canberra, on 7 November 2019. The presentation was titled Maintaining Trust in the Parliamentary Process — PACs and Officers of the Parliament.

This paper looks at which states or territories may have their electoral boundaries redistributed during the course of this Parliament—the new boundaries and any change in the number of divisions then applying at the next election. The actual redistribution process (or the redrawing of boundaries)...

The Parliamentary Library Briefing Book provides short analyses of issues that may be considered over the course of this Parliament. Each article gives a high-level perspective of significant public policy issues, covering background, context and legislative history, as well as some of the policy and...

This quick guide contains the most recent tables showing the composition of Australian parliaments by party and gender (see Tables 1 and 2). It takes into account changes to the Commonwealth and state/territory parliaments since the last published update on 15 January 2019.

The Senate Standing Committee on Regulations and Ordinances (the committee) has scrutinised legislation to guard against the inappropriate exercise of executive power for almost ninety years. This report makes a number of recommendations to improve the committee's existing scrutiny practices.

Rodney Tiffen outlines Inside Story’s guide to seventy years of parties, polling and politics.